"MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Martha Marcy May Marlene

It's rare that I see a Movie so riveting that I'm haunted for days after and that's how I feel about Martha Marcy May Marlene. The Pyscho-thriller from Director Sean Durkin centers on a young Woman named Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) who escapes a Cult, then trying to reconnect with her estranged older Sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and Brother-in-Law Ted (Hugh Dancy).

Seemingly safe in being three hours away from the Cult Camp to which she belonged under the watchful eye of manipulative Leader Patrick (John Hawkes), Martha struggles to open-up to and connect with Lucy about the mysterious two-year gap where neither had been in-touch.  Silently, Martha is tortured by the shocking memories of her past two years, which saw her being brainwashed under Cult mentality, transitioning into an Enabler and a Sexual Commodity.  

Tensions mount between Lucy, Ted and Martha as the latter fails to transition back into a normal life, causing much strain on Lucy and Ted's marriage.  We witness Martha's Paranoia getting the better of her as time lines are crisscrossed between current and past.  Will she be able to escape her secretive past or will it destroy her and her Family altogether?

I cannot praise enough Olsen's daring performance here as Martha, as she disappears completely into her role at a level reminiscent of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Scarlett Johansson when they first had exploded as Darlings of Cinema. She handles the wide range required of her role with skilled precision, going with ease from fearfully trembling, to being emotionally numb, to outright vicious and at times hysterical.

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE" IN TORONTO

Official Artwork for Martha Marcy May Marlene
(Subject to Classification)

Martha Marcy May Marlene is a powerful Psychological Thriller starring Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a young Woman rapidly unraveling amidst her attempt to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a Cult and its charismatic Leader (John Hawkes). Seeking help from her estranged older Sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and Brother-in-Law (Hugh Dancy), Martha is unable and unwilling to reveal the truth about her disappearance. When her memories trigger a chilling paranoia that her former Cult could still be pursuing her, the line between Martha's reality and delusion begins to blur.

After winning uanimous praise at TIFF, Sundance and Cannes earlier this year, talented new Director Sean Durkin is ready to unleash the hotly-tipped Martha Marcy May Marlene, featuring a breakthrough performance by Elizabeth Olsen, younger Sister of Moguls, Ashley & Mary-Kate.  For the first-time ever, Fox Searchlight Canada & Mr. Will-W.: Pop Maven are partnering to give ten lucky Readers Double Passes to  a Toronto Advance Screening of this exciting Thriller on Monday, October 24, 2011.

To enter to win, all you have to do is go to Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and "like" this Post.  Your deadline is Friday, October 21, 2011.  Good luck, Mavenati!

Watch the haunting Trailer in full for Martha Marcy May Marlene:

"HYSTERIA" AT TIFF 2011

Tanya Wexler in Toronto - August 2011

Tanya Wexler does a fine job with her latest Feature, Hysteria, which had its TIFF 2011 Premiere last night at Roy Thomson Hall. The Rom-Com examines a backwards period in British History when Women unable to suppress their sexual urges were deemed to have Hysteria, which could have resulted in a Hysterectomy if left untreated.

Its Story follows Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy) and his failed attempts as a Physician, before being taken under the wings of Dr. Dalrymple (Jonathan Pryce) in treating Hysteria among Women. Along the way, Mortimer meets both Dr. Dalrymple`s Daughters, the outspoken yet charitable Charlotte (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and also, a complacent Emily (Felicity Jones).  After the demand for Mortimer`s treatments exceed his capabilities, he directs his focus towards producing a device which would forever change the way Women view their own Sexuality; known eventually as the Vibrator.

HUGH DANCY AT TIFF 2011 FOR "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE" & "HYSTERIA"

Hugh Dancy in Toronto - September 2011

Handsome and talented Brit Hugh Dancy made an appearance this afternoon at Ryerson Theatre for the Premiere of Sean Durkin's Martha Marcy May Marlene alongside Sarah Paulson (spotted the other day) and newcomer Elizabeth Olsen (younger Sister of Ashley and Mary-Kate).  Signing and taking Photos generously, Dancy just might be spending a bit more time with his Fans later this week as Hysteria, also starring Maggie Gyllenhaal premieres at Roy Thomson Hall on Thursday.

Durkin confirmed to me today that Martha Marcy May Marlene has been picked-up for distribution by Fox Searchlight with a release date slated soon!  Can't wait to see!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"DOROTHY OF OZ" POSTER UNVEILED

This first Official Poster for 2012's Dorothy of Oz has just been released.  Starring a stellar Cast of Lea Michele (Glee), Kelsey Grammer, Dan Akroyd, James Belushi, Patrick Stewart, Hugh Dancy and Martin Short, the 3-D Animated Feature will follow Dorothy as she decides to return back to Oz one more time to save her Friends.  In all honesty, I thought in the spirit of the original The Wizard of Oz that this was a Live Action Film.  You can imagine my surprise when I was presented with this bit of news!

Dorothy of Oz is set tentatively for an April 30, 2012 release.  Summertime Entertainment oversees Production, although it is unclear which company will be handling its Distribution.